4 Pak soldiers die in cross-border firing

PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD - At least four soldiers were killed and four others, including an officer, sustained injuries when militants from across the border fired on military check post of Pakistan on Wednesday, the military sources said.Militants from across the border fired on Pakistani border posts at Manozangai and Mukha Tops in Bajaur Agency early morning as a result of which two soldiers embraced martyrdom and three others got injuries, said ISPR.In the afternoon, two more soldiers were martyred and another sustained injuries in an attack on a check post at Mukha Top from across the border. The military officials said that since May 25 last, this was the third attack from Afghanistan on Pakistan’s military check posts in Bajaur Agency. On May 31, around 150-200 terrorists from across the border attacked Pakistani check-posts on Nao Top of Bajaur Agency, killing at least one soldier and injuring two others. Pakistani gunship helicopters repulsed the attack and killed 16 terrorists.It is believed that TTP’s militants based in Kunar and Nuristan provinces of Afghanistan along with militants in Bajaur Agency, Mohmand Agency and Swat, may be involved in the cross-border attacks.Pakistan has condemned the unprovoked attack on its border posts from Afghanistan, asking the Afghan government to take concrete steps to stop the use of its territory against Pakistan.Meanwhile, in a statement in Islamabad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said two Pakistani border posts, Manozangal and Moukha tops in Bajaur Agency, were attacked by terrorists from across Afghanistan. As a result of this unprovoked firing, two Pakistani soldiers were martyred and three others, including an officer, were injured. It is the third incident of cross-border attack in the last 10 days.“Pakistan condemns these unprovoked attacks. This matter has been taken up with the Afghan government in Kabul and with their Embassy in Islamabad. Afghanistan has been asked to take concrete steps to stop the use of its territory against Pakistan,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said Wednesday.